Stress Distributions Determined in Short T2 BioMaterials by MRI-based Finite Strain and Mathematical Modeling

该奖项的研究目标是使用医学成像和数学建模的组合来确定和表征生物材料的力学特性。医学成像手段，如磁共振成像(MRI)，可以非侵入性地显示材料和组织体积中的内部应变。数学建模扩展了应变数据以确定空间相关的应力和材料特性。根据该奖项进行的研究将确定快速核磁共振技术能够在多大程度上表征各种生物材料的力学特性，特别是具有较短的自旋-自旋(T2)弛豫时间并对成像具有挑战性的生物材料。通过将磁共振数据与混合物理论和非线性本构关系相结合，进一步发展数学模型来关联应变和应力。如果成功，这些研究将显著促进材料的表征，并加强新型生物启发材料的设计。从结果中获得的知识还将使评估组织损伤和退化，以及组织重塑和植入生物材料整合的特征成为可能。研究将通过出版物和演示文稿进行传播。综合教育和外展活动是力学研究的自然和创造性产物，旨在提供一种互动和解决问题的学习方法。组织力学的本科课程将增加新的基于成像的模块。重视教育和外展活动将通过与印第安纳波利斯儿童博物馆的互动，从小促进科学和工程方面的高等教育。

The research objective of this award is to use a combination of medical imaging and mathematical modeling to determine and characterize the mechanics of biomaterials. Medical imaging modalities, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), can noninvasively visualize internal strains throughout the volume of materials and tissues. Mathematical modeling extends the strain data to determine spatially-dependent stresses and material properties. Studies conducted under this award will determine the extent to which rapid MRI techniques can characterize the mechanics of a broad range of biomaterials that, in particular, exhibit short spin-spin (T2) relaxation times and are challenging to image. Mathematical modeling will further be developed to relate strains and stresses through the incorporation of MRI data with mixture theory and nonlinear constitutive relations.If successful, these studies would significantly advance the characterization of materials and enhance the design of novel bio-inspired materials. The knowledge gained from results would additionally enable the evaluation of tissue damage and degeneration, and the characterization of tissue remodeling and implanted biomaterial integration. Research will be disseminated through publications and presentations. Integrated education and outreach activities arise as a natural and creative outgrowth of mechanics studies, and are designed to provide an interactive and problem-solving approach toward learning. Undergraduate courses in tissue mechanics will be augmented with new imaging-based modules. Emphasizing education and outreach activities will promote higher education in science and engineering from an early age through interactions with the Indianapolis Children's Museum.